****************************************************************** From "Genealogy of Drouillard Families of St. Clair Co., Mich"
Back
to StClair home page Compiled by Elizabeth L. (Warner) Droulard Algonac, Michigan, 1979 (Available at Mt. Clemens Public Library, 150 Cass Ave, Mt.
Clemens, MI) Mount
Clemens Public Library Catalog also with Sierens, Alphonse J. The Drouillard
family. (Genealogy-Reference). *** Page 23: ...." Alexis and Thomas [sons of Francis Drouillard and Mary
Ann Villers] settled at Walpole Island. Walpole was also called St. Mary's
Island. Alexis (10) born 1776, married Cecile Godet dit Marentette,
the daughter of Joseph Godet dit Marentette and Mary Jane Pilet. They had ten children that they raised on Walpole Island." Page 26: "Thomas (11), born 1791, married Marianne (Polly)
Wilcox, born in New York, the daughter of Elisha Wilcox who was one of
Butler's Rangers. Thomas was a Captain in the British Army during
the War of 1812. Shortly after the war he settled on Walpole Island
under the "Ury Rights." He and Polly had eight children, raised on
the island. Seven of the children wre baptized at St. Peter's Church
in Tilbury, on the Thames River near Chatham. The family was living
in Sombra, Lambton Co., Ont. at the time of his daughter Sara's marriage
to Daniel Little in 1847. In 1838 Walpole Island was declared an Indian reservation.
The land was returned to the Indians and all others were expelled (forced
to leave). Alexander (15) Francis (16) and Thomas (17) were among
those listed in the Indian agent's letters as expelled about 1840. Alexander and Francis were both sons of Alexis and
Cecile Godet dit Marentette. Alexander (15) born 1805, married in a civil ceremony,
his first cousin, Pelagia Drouillard, daughter of Thomas Drouillard and
Marianne Wilcox. They had a daughter, Louise, born 1835 (died before
1850), named after Alexander's sister who was her godmother. Their
marriage was ratified by the priest at St. Peters in Tilbury in 1836.
Pelagia was either called Lucy, or Pelagia died and he married a Lucy.
(Pelagia and Lucy may have been the same person. If not, he was married
twice). When Alexander left the island he moved to Ohio. He
and Lucy had two children born there. They were back in Algonac by
1845 where three more children were born. On September 13, 1850 Alexander
bought the estate of James Cottrell in China Township at auction, forty
acres for $350. He also paid the widow, Christine Cottrell $100 for
her share of the same property. The house was on the southeast corner
of Marsh and Booth roads. Lucy died after Denis was born in 1851,
leaving Alexander with five children under ten years old. He was
married between 1851 and 1854 to Sarah Zoe Girard, born 1824, the daughter
of Michael Girard and Julia Cuillerier of Moore, Lambton Co., Ont.
They had five more children, born on the farm. Alexander and his
sons were all registered voters in China township. Zoe was called
Zoah. She died in 1880 age 78. They were both buried in Balfour
Cemetery on Belle River, through Holy Cross the Catholic Church in Marine
City. Their farm house is still standing. Frances (16) born 1806, married Rosalie Gelina (Genaw)
born 1809, the daughter of Joseph Gelina and Cecile Delisle, and when they
left Walpole they moved to Sandwich (Windsor area). The following
is a description of him. "Even as an old man, he was a most commanding
figure, in his high boots, riding breeches and familiar red woolen shirt,
which all guides wore to distinguish them in the woods, and which earned
for him among his grandchildren the soubriquet of "Pepe Rouge." They
were very fond of sitting at his feet and listening to his stories of early
days in Canada, as he was a marvelous raconteur and possessed, as well
as an air of dignity, a pair of piercing dark eyes and a straitforward
mind. This accounted for his success in dealing with the Indians,
with whom he was most familiar. With his splendid ability to speak
the Indian language, he would join in the annual celebration of the St.
Jean Baptiste festival, dressing in full Indian costume, and responding
in their language. He was devoted to his church, and was untiring
in his attendance." Francis and Rosalie had eleven children. Francis died in 1907
at the age of 101 and Rosalie died in 1908 at the age of 99. Thomas and Henry, sons of Thomas Drouillard and Marianne
Wilcox, came to St. Clair Co. to live. Thomas (17) born 1816 married Minnie Bishore, born
1811, the daughter of Basil Bechard and Josephte Giroux. Minnie's
name was Emily which was English for her baptismal name, Hermengilde.
Her last name, Bechard, was anglicized to Bishore, Bashore, Bashaw etc.
Thomas and Minnie had nine children. They were living in Algonac
in the 1850 census. Thomas knew the language of several tribes and
also spoke English and French. The Indians would go to his house
and sleep behind the stove on cold winter nights when they walked over
the ice for supplies. On Dec. 2, 1850 Thomas bought 20 acres on Stone
Rd. from Abram Smith for $80. Oct. 3, 1860 he bought 54 acres from
William and Bridget Mellon of Sombra, Ont., for $150. This property
was on Jankow Rd. On Jan. 12, 1864 he bought lots 3 and 4 in
block 109 in Algonac for $100 from George and Helen Allen of Wallaceburg.
These two lots are on the corner of Mill and Washington. Thomas and
Minnie were listed in the Ira census in 1884. He died in Marine City
in 1895. Henry (18) born 1824, married Hannah Griggs born 1827, the
daughter of William Griggs and his wife, Jane of Dawn, Ontario. They
moved to Cottrellville in 1849 where Henry farmed until 1853 when the family
moved to St. Clair. Henry was a foreman in Eugene Smith's lumber
mill for seventeen years. In 1878, he engaged in the lumber trade
himself in St. Clair, keeping a large stock of undressed lumber, laths,
posts and shingles. All but one of their nine children were deceased
by 1893. Hannah died in 1890. She had been an active
member of the M.E. Church since she was 16 years of age. Henry married
his second wife, Harriet Rosetae nee Gillnyea in 1900. He died in
1901."